Nectarine tree named ‘Zee Fire’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree ( Prunus persica  var.  nucipersica ). The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consists of the following unique combination of features that are desirable in a new variety. 
     1. Heavy and regular production of fruit. 
     2. Fruit maturing in the early maturing season. 
     3. Fruit with good handling and shipping quality. 
     4. Fruit with attractive red skin color. 
     5. Fruit with good flavor and eating quality. 
     6. Vigorous, upright growth of tree.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuingplant-breeding program including the organization and asexualreproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines,apricots, cherries and interspecifics are exemplary. It was against thisbackground of our activities that the present variety of nectarine tree(Prunus persica var. nucipersica) was originated and asexuallyreproduced by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto,Stanislaus County, Calif.

PRIOR VARIETIES

Among the existing varieties of peaches and nectarines, which are knownto us, and mentioned herein, are ‘Tasty Gold’ Nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 5,623), ‘May Glo’ Nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,245), ‘Fayette’Peach (non-patented), ‘May Crest’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,064) and‘May Grand’ Nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,794).

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The present new variety of nectarine tree (Prunus persica var.nucipersica) was originated by us in our experimental orchard locatednear Modesto, Calif., as a first generation cross between proprietarylines of the immediate parents with identification numbers 172LE506 and201LF103. The maternal parent 172LE506 originated from crosses derivedfrom ‘Tasty Gold’ Nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,623) with ‘May Glo’Nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,245). The pollen parent 201LF103originated from crosses between the following, ‘Fayette’ Peach(non-patented), ‘May Grand’ Nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,794) and‘May Crest’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,064). In 1995, we budded alarge group of these first generation seedlings to ‘Nemaguard’Rootstock(non-patented) and, under close and careful observation; we selected thepresent variety, which exhibited exceptional fruit characteristics, foradditional asexual propagation and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

Additional asexual reproductions in 1997 of the new and distinct varietyof nectarine tree was by budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock(non-patented), the standard rootstock for peaches and nectarines inCalifornia, as performed by us in our experimental orchard located nearModesto, Calif., and shows that asexual reproductions run true to theoriginal tree and all characteristics of the tree and its fruit areestablished and transmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present variety of nectarine tree (Prunus persica var. nucipersica)is of large size, vigorous, upright growth and a productive and regularbearer of large, yellow flesh, clingstone fruit ripening in the earlymaturity season with good flavor and eating quality. The fruit isfurther characterized by having an attractive red skin color, havingfirm flesh with good storage and shipping quality and holding firm onthe tree 5 to 7 days after maturity (shipping ripe). The tree is furthercharacterized by having a low winter chilling requirement ofapproximately 300 hours below 45° F., allowing this variety to be grownin more southern areas than most commercial varieties. In comparison to‘Tasty Gold’ Nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,623), the fruit of the newvariety is approximately 2 weeks earlier in maturity, the tree has alower winter chilling requirement by approximately 500 hours, allowingit to produce fruit in more southern areas of early maturity. Incomparison to ‘May Glo’ Nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,245), the fruitof the new variety is slightly larger in size and 6 days earlier inmaturity.

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE NEW VARIETY

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new nectarine variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a fruit divided in its suture plane toshow flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place. Thephotographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked (shippingripe) and the colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in acolor representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the 5 year old, newvariety of nectarine tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based onobservations of specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., in accordance withMunsell Book of Color.

Tree:

Size.—Large, normal for nectarine trees. Height controlled by pruning to3 to 3.5 meters for economical harvesting of fruit.

Vigor.—Vigorous. Growth of 1.5 to 2 meters the first growing season.Usually pruned to 1 to 1.5 meters in height in the first dormant seasonwhen primary scaffolds are selected.

Growth.—Upright. Normal for nectarine trees.

Branching habit.—Upright with crotch angle at approximately 30 to 35°.At maturity, branch angle increases with weight of fruit.

Productivity.—Productive. Produces 1.5 to several times the number offruit desired for crop load. Number of fruit set varies with climaticconditions during blooming season. Thinning and spacing of fruitnecessary.

Bearer.—Regular. Adequate set 4 consecutive years. No alternate bearingobserved.

Fertility.—Self fertile, abundant pollen.

Density.—Medium dense. Usually pruned to vase shape by removing branchesfrom center of tree to allow more sunlight and air movement to enhancefruit color and health of fruit wood.

Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit areas of California. Grown in USDAHardiness Zone 9.

Trunk:

Size.—Medium to large, stocky. Average circumference 50.8 cm at 27.94 cmabove ground on a 5 year old tree.

Surface texture.—Medium shaggy. Roughness increases with age.

Color.—Varies from 10R 7/1 to 10YR 7/1.

Branches:

Size.—Medium, normal for nectarine trees. Average circumference 1.61 cmat 1½ meters above ground. Crotch angle approximately 30° to 35°,increases with crop load.

Surface texture.—Smooth on new growth. Medium rough on old growth.

Lenticels.—Average number of 43 in a 25.8 square cm section. Averagelength 4.3 mm. Average width 1.7 mm. Color 7.5YR 6/10 to 7.5YR 5/10.

Color.—New growth 5GY 7/6 to 5GY 7/8. Old growth 7.5YR 3/4 to 7.5YR 4/4.

Leaves:

Size.—Medium to large. Average length 111.4 mm. Average width 37.2 mm.

Form.—Lanceolate.

Margin.—Crenate.

Thickness.—Medium.

Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth except for smallindentation over veining, glabrous. Lower surface relatively smoothexcept for small ridges created by midrib and pinnate venation,glabrous.

Petiole.—Average length 9.1 mm. Average width 1.6 mm. Color — 2.5GY 5/6.Grooved longitudinally. Pubescence — wanting.

Glands.—Reniform. Large size. Average length 1.2 mm. Average diameter0.6 mm. Number varies from 2 to 3, average number 2. Located on upperportion of leaf petiole and base of leaf blade. Color — 2.5GY 7/8.

Color.—Upper surface 5GY 4/4. Lower surface 5GY 5/4.

Midvein.—Color — 2.5GY 8/6.

Apex.—Acuminate.

Base.—Cuneate.

Flower buds:

Size.—Large. Average length 16.1 mm. Average width 8.7 mm.

Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of California.

Form.—Plump, conical, becoming elongated before opening.

Pedicel.—Average length 2 mm. Average width 1.6 mm. Color 2.5GY 8/10.

Color.—7.5RP 8/6.

Flowers:

Size.—Large, showy. Average height 18.9 mm. Average diameter 44 mm.

Petals.—Large. Average length 20.1 mm. Average width 18.2 mm. Number —5, alternately arranged to sepals. Shape — orbicular, narrows at pointof attachment. Margin — sinuate. Color — 2.5RP 8/6.

Sepals.—Number — 5, alternately arranged to petals. Average length 3.6mm. Average width 2.5 mm. Shape — ovate, apex rounded. Color — uppersurface 2.5GY 7/10, glabrous. Lower surface 7.5RP 3/8, pubescent.

Stamens.—Average number per flower 40. Average filament length 14.1 mm.Filament color varies from 5RP 9/2 to 5RP 5/12. Anther color 3.75R 4/14,becoming more yellow with age.

Pollen.—Self fertile. Color 8.75YR 7/12.

Pistil.—Number — one. Average length 14.9 mm. Stigma approximately 1.9mm above anthers. Color 2.5GY 9/6. Pubescence — wanting.

Fragrance.—Slight.

Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Feb. 12, 2001. Date of Last BloomFeb. 27, 2001. Varies slightly with climatic conditions.

Color.—2.5RP 8/6.

Number of flowers per flower bud.—One.

Pedicel.—Average length 2 mm. Average width 1.7 mm. Color 2.5GY 8/10.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.—Firm ripe.

Date of first picking.—May 20, 2001.

Date of last picking.—May 26, 2001. Varies slightly with climaticconditions.

Size.—Average diameter axially 69.2 mm. Average transversely in sutureplane 70.3 mm. Average weight 150.5 grams. Average weight variesslightly with fertility of the soil, amount of thinning and climaticconditions.

Form.—Usually globose, varies from globose to slightly concaved on oneside near the apex on some fruit.

Suture.—Shallow, extends from base to apex.

Ventral surface.—Nearly smooth.

Apex.—Usually rounded. Varies from rounded to slightly retuse.

Base.—Retuse.

Cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in the suture plane. Average depth4.7 mm. Average breadth 12.5 mm.

Stem:

Size.—Average length 5.2 mm. Average diameter 3.1 mm.

Color.—2.5GY 7/8 to 2.5GY 7/10.

Flesh:

Ripens.—Evenly.

Texture.—Firm, meaty.

Fibers.—Few, small, tender.

Firmness.—Good. Firmer than most early maturing commercial varieties.

Aroma.—Slight.

Amydgalin.—Undetected.

Eating quality.—Good.

Flavor.—Good. Good balance between sugar and acid.

Juice.—Moderate, enhances flavor.

Brix.—Soluble solids 13.7° Brix. Varies slightly with amount of fruitper tree and climatic conditions.

Color.—2.5Y 8/8 to 2.5Y 8/10. Pit cavity varies from 2.5Y 7/8 to 2.5Y7/10.

Skin:

Thickness.—Medium, normal compared to most commercial nectarinevarieties.

Texture.—Smooth, no waffling or roughness.

Pubescence.—Wanting.

Tendency to crack.—Very slight in high moisture conditions.

Color.—Ground color 3.75Y 8.5/12 to 3.75Y 8/12. Nearly overspread with7.5R 3/10 to 7.5R 4/14. Small randomly spaced areas of ground colorshowing, leaving a speckling pattern around apex.

Tenacity.—Tenacious to the flesh.

Astringency.—Undetected.

Stone:

Type.—Clingstone.

Size.—Large. Average length 33.4 mm. Average width 26.0 mm. Averagethickness 21.4 mm.

Form.—Ovate.

Base.—Rounded.

Apex.—Varies from round to acute. Short, average length 1.6 mm.

Surface.—Irregularly furrowed toward apex, pitted throughout. Pits varyfrom round to elongated. Usually one deep furrow on each side of suture.

Sides.—Vary from equal to unequal with one side extending further fromsuture plane.

Ridges.—Small to medium in width. Relatively smooth.

Tendency to split.—Very slight.

Color.—2.5YR 9/4, when dry and clean of flesh.

Kernal:

Size.—Average length 15.1 mm. Average width 9.58 mm. Average thickness5.2 mm.

Skin color.—2.5Y 8.5/8.

Viability.—Viable.

Use: Dessert. Market — local and long distance.

Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage 2 weeks with minimalloss of flavor, firmness or internal flesh breakdown.

Shipping quality: Good, minimal scarring of skin or bruising of fleshduring picking, packing and shipping trials.

Plant disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing forrelative plant/fruit disease has been designed. Under close observationduring planting, growing and harvesting of fruit, under normal culturaland growing conditions near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruitdisease resistance or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety orselection observed during indexing of plant characteristics withabnormal susceptibility is destroyed and eliminated from our breedingprogram.

The present new variety of nectarine tree, its flowers, foliage andfruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soilconditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown.The present description is that of the variety grown under theecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, substantiallyas illustrated and described, characterized by its large size, uprightgrowth and being a productive and regular bearer of large, yellow flesh,clingstone fruit with good flavor and eating quality; the tree isfurther characterized by having a low winter chilling requirement ofapproximately 300 hours and, compared with fruit of the ‘May Glo’Nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,245), the fruit is larger in size andis approximately 6 days earlier in maturity.